♘ Be Brave ♘

IX

By the time Marcus comes back, I know the speech so well I could recite it in my sleep. We quietly make our way to the town square, our selfless masks on full blast. Marcus nods at several people he passes by, no doubt enjoying the popularity that comes with being part of the city council.

Once we get to the square, a very large crowd has already gathered next to the podium. Since this event concerns the entire city, people from every faction are here today... Jeanine Matthews herself among them. Swirls of brown,white, blue,gray, and black come together to form a burst of color so bright it makes me dizzy for a moment.

Marcus guides me to the podium, stares at me for a second, and joins the crowd below. I tap the microphone attached to the podium twice, and within minutes the square is silent. I clear my throat, swallow, and begin. I'm still dazed, so it sounds as if I'm reciting dates in history class. I can feel both Marcus and Jeanine's gazes drilling a hole into me, daring me to mess up.

I can tell Jeanine knows I've been forced to say this. Everyone is quiet until I say the part about staying in Abnegation permanently. Murmurs begin to fill the square, from the usually soft spoken Abnegation to the rowdy Dauntless.

I turn, wanting to get as far away from the podium as possible, but just before I do, Jeanine joins me at the front. "Excuse me. Excuse me. Before Mr. Eaton and his son depart, I have one question for Tobias."

What? What could Jeanine possibly want to ask me? "Tobias. You are aware that the faction you belong to from age sixteen is the one you will belong to for the rest of your life and that you have a right to choose, correct?" I nod.

"Are you absolutely certain that you want to be here for as long as you shall live?" I glance at Marcus. His face reveals nothing. I say what I know I must. I look Jeanine in the eye, and, as firmly as I can, choke out one word.

"Yes."